With the internet filled with web design portfolios from different parts of the world, creatives and aspiring designers are faced with the challenge of differentiating themselves and their brand. How do you make your own portfolio website stand out in a sea of similar brands and services?
The good thing is that you don’t have to build your portfolio website from scratch. Strikingly’s collection of portfolio templates can give you a solid starting point, allowing you to build galleries to house your best work and a space where you can introduce yourself to potential clients.
To help inspire your own industrial design portfolio project, we have put together some of the best portfolio examples powered by Strikingly. Each of these portfolios provide a great insight into what an effective professional portfolio should have.
1. Amarel
If there is one advice that you must remember when designing your own portfolio website, it is to start strong. Lead with a visual letting the user know he has come to the right place and you’re the right person for the job he requires. Amarel’s website did this by placing the gallery of logos the designer has created right on the upper half of the website. The portfolio is literally the first thing that users see when they land on the site.
2. Ashmith
When you’re marketing your brand, you have to put your best foot forward. Lead with a strong statement and let potential clients know what exactly you can do for them. Ashmith’s website starts with a clear message providing an overview of what the site is about and the kind of services he provides. In a brief and clear way, he outlined his strengths and his value add to a design work. He didn’t use a fancy portfolio template to promote his brand. Instead, he went for a cleaner design and let his work speak for itself.
3. The Photographic Voice
Great visuals attract users and make them want to stay and learn more. Powerful photography combined with a magnetic headline like this one by The Photographic Voice can convey a message clearly than if you actually articulated it in paragraph format. The website starts with a short line on what the organisation does and what it aims to achieve, showing that you don’t really have to use so many words to get your message across. Brief but punchy - that’s what any portfolio website needs.
4. Sarah Muller
Make it easy for clients to zero in on certain areas of your work by dividing your portfolio into categories. This is great for creatives who tend to specialize in several different areas and niches. Sarah Muller’s portfolio is a good example of this. She is a Colorado-based photographer who does food, commercial, wedding and travel photography among other things. She created different gallery sections for these areas so potential clients can simply focus on a particular area that interests them.
5. L’Atelier
Make your portfolio stand out with a minimalist web design. L’Atelier used an all black color scheme to make its colorful paintings pop and be the focal point of the site. The art gallery hosts different artists in its portfolio so it created different sections for each talent. With imagery as engaging as the ones on this site, you don’t really have to worry too much about adding a lot of text. The work itself pretty much conveys the message of the site.
6. Oriana Castro
Just like any other website, even a UX and web designer portfolio should have a CTA. Don’t leave users wondering what to do next on your site or how to contact you. Oriana Castro’s portfolio shows that you don’t have to limit yourself to the usual “Learn More” call to action. She went for more personalized CTAs inviting potential clients for a discussion or to view more of her work to learn more about her skills.
7. Dan Makoski
Your portfolio should represent you and speak about your work. You can use it to introduce yourself to potential clients and employers. Dan Makoski starts off with a quick introduction of his work, expertise and interests. You don’t have to create a whole biography page outlining what you have done in your life so far. Key points that are relevant to your professional career should be highlighted to give employers a sense of whether or not you are the person they are looking for.
Build your personal brand online. Create your own web design portfolio today.
